Fender and management system thereof

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a fender, which is used as cushioning material mainly at the time of a ship being moored, and a management system thereof. A transponder is mounted in a fender  1  that is an object to be managed, and an ID code is read by the transponder in the fender  1  being accessed by terminals  2 A through  2 D provided in areas where are areas to be managed and each have one or more terminals. Historical information showing an installed place and an installed period of the fender  1  and individual update information including the ID code is transferred to a control system  4  through communication networks  6 A through  6 D. The control system  4  not only stores manufacturing information and historical information of all the fenders  1  that are objects to be managed, but also updates the historical information on the basis of the individual update information received from the terminal  2 . Furthermore, the control system  4  displays the manufacturing information and historical information of a specific fender  1  designated by an operator. Thereby, it is possible to perform management of fenders, installed in being dispersed, in real time.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a fender, which is used as cushioningmaterial mainly at the time of a ship being moored, and a managementsystem thereof.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, fenders are used for buffering shock arising in a ship,a quay, or ships when the ship comes alongside a structure such as thequay or the ship comes alongside another ship on the sea.

A fender is classified according to material buffering shock: a rubberfender buffering shock with rubber; a pneumatic fender buffering shockwith air; a foam fender buffering shock with foam material; or the like.In addition, the fender is classified according to usage: a fixed fenderused with being fixed with bolts to a structure such as a quay; and afloating fender used with being floating on the sea and moored with achain or the like to a quay or a ship.

Owners of these fenders are various, for example, port-related groups,ship-holding companies, rental companies of fenders and oil companies,and there are many fender manufactures in the world.

Therefore, various types of fenders are intermixed in the same port. Inparticular, since the floating fenders are easily detached, the floatingfenders are resold or borrowed and lent, are carried with being embarkedon ships, or are used with being passed around many ships. Therefore,the floating fenders can not stay at a fixed location, but can move inthe whole world in many cases.

In addition, since the fenders are expensive, the fenders are used forthe long time such as more than ten years, and are used after repair incase of slight damages.

The fenders bear an important part in ships safely coming alongsidequays and ships. The ships and quays are damaged if the fenders do notplay the part, and hence it can cause serious accidents.

Therefore, for the holding companies and users of the fenders, it isvery important to identify each fender and recognize manufacturing itemssuch as a manufacturing date and a manufacturing place, specificationsand structure, characteristics such as buffering capability, informationregarding history such as repair and used places of each fender in realtime, and to manage many fenders so as to use only the normal fenders inany time.

Nevertheless, it has been not easy to manage the fenders in a locationwhere various fenders are intermixed as described above, and inparticular, it was further difficult to manage the floating fenders usedover the world with being moved.

An object of the present invention is in consideration of the aboveproblems to provide a fender and a fender management system that make itpossible to easily manage the fenders installed in being dispersed.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In order to attain the above object, the present invention comprisesinformation memory means for storing predetermined information, andinformation read means for reading information stored in the informationmemory means, and a fender comprises a transponder that can access theinformation read means by wireless. In addition, a fender managementsystem is configured, the system comprising: this fender; a terminalwhich is accessing the information memory means of the transponder,provided in the fender, by wireless; a control system that cancommunicate with this terminal, and stores information inherent in eachfender, which is obtained through the terminal, with making theinformation correspond to each fender; and a computer that cancommunicate with the control system. The control system readsinformation from the information memory means of a transponder throughthe terminal, reads information of a fender stored in the computer bycommunicating with the computer, receives information inherent in eachfender from the computer, and manages fenders, installed in a specificarea, a wide area, or a plurality of remote areas, on the basis of thisinformation above.

It is possible that the information memory means of a transponderincludes information such as identification information inherent in eachfender for identifying the fender, identification information inherentin each transponder for identifying the transponder mounted in a fender,and manufacturing information, historical information, andcharacteristics of the fender.

In addition, in order to manage in a specific area, a system comprisingthe fender, and a terminal receiving and transmitting information bycommunicating with a transponder, provided in the fender, by wireless isconfigured, and the terminal comprises: information memory means forstoring information regarding the fender that is an object to bemanaged; reception means for receiving information transmitted from thetransponder; information update means for updating information, storedin the information memory means, on the basis of this informationreceived; and information display means for displaying information ofthe fender designated by an operator.

Furthermore, a system to which a control system having large informationmemory capacity is added is configured so that the system can receiveand transmit information between the transponder and control systemthrough the terminal, and can manage plenty of information for manyfenders by using the control system.

According to the management system, a transponder is mounted in afender, and hence it is possible to automatically read the predeterminedinformation stored in the information memory means by accessing thetransponder, and to manage each fender by using this information.

In addition, even if a location is apart from a fender in some extent,it is possible to access a transponder, to simplify management work, andto prevent an artificial human error on management.

Furthermore, by providing information write means for being capable ofaccessing a transponder by wireless and for writing information to theinformation memory means of the transponder, a fender itself can holdunique information relating to the fender.

In addition, a transponder comprises: reception means for receiving anelectromagnetic wave having a first frequency; energy conversion meansfor converting the energy of the electromagnetic wave, received by thereception means, into electric energy; and transmission means fortransmitting information, read from the information memory means by theinformation read means, by an electromagnetic wave having a secondfrequency. By making the transponder operate by electric energy obtainedfrom the energy conversion means, it becomes possible for thetransponder to semipermanently operate and to simplify the maintenanceof the transponder.

Furthermore, as a concrete system configuration, at least onetransponder, storing identification information inherent in a fender, ismounted in the fender that is an object to be managed. The controlsystem stores information inherent in each fender that is an object tobe managed, for example, manufacturing information such as rateddimensions, an initial internal pressure, a manufacturing date, and acustomer name, and, for example, historical information such as aninitial installation date, an installed period, subsequent installedplaces and installed periods, and check, inspection, and repair records.This information can be displayed by designating a specific fender.

Furthermore, if the installed place or the like of a fender is changes,the management system reads identification information by accessing thetransponder of the fender with a terminal, and updates the historicalinformation stored in the control system since the terminal generatesthe individual update information including this historical informationand identification information by inputting to the terminal thehistorical information to be added. Thereby, it is possible to graspinformation regarding an individual fender, to easily perform real-timemanagement, and to prevent an artificial error on the management.

In addition, since necessary information of each fender is stored in thecontrol system by locating a terminal in an area where fenders, whichare objects to be managed, are installed and providing at least onecontrol system according to necessity, it is possible to grasphistorical data such as installed places and installed periods of thefenders immediately and exactly.

Furthermore, by performing information transfer between the controlsystem and computer or between the terminal and control system through acommunication network such as telephone lines, internets, wirelesscommunications, and satellite communications, it is possible to updatemanagement information in real time without depending on distancebetween these installed places.

In addition, if the information memory means of a transponder storesidentification information inherent in the transponder such as an IDcode inherent in each transponder, the terminal or control systemconverts this ID code into a serial number of the fender by using acorresponding table, and generates individual update informationincluding this serial number and historical information; managesinformation by using the serial number as the identification informationof the fender. Thereby, it is possible to easily associate each fenderwith manufacturing information thereof.

Furthermore, by storing manufacturing drawings of each fender inmanufacturing information memory means of the control system, it ispossible to easily repair the fender on the basis of manufacturingdrawings when urgent repair is necessary.

In addition, by operator's command input, it is possible to grasp thelocation of each fender at the time of maintenance or the like bydisplaying a map or a photograph of the installed place and its vicinityof the installed place of an arbitrary fender on the basis of thehistorical information of the fender designated in the control system.

Furthermore, by operator's command input, it is possible to easilyperform movement plan such as the change of the installed place of afender by displaying the installation state of the fender in adesignated arbitrary area such as installed places, the number offenders, kinds of the fenders, which are installed, on the basis of thehistorical information of the fenders in the control system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a fender management system in a firstembodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is an outside view showing afender in the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 is apartial cross-sectional view showing a mounting position of atransponder in the fender in the first embodiment of the presentinvention; FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining contact areas andnoncontact areas of the fender in the first embodiment of the presentinvention; FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing electric circuits of thetransponder in the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 6 isa block diagram showing electric circuits of a terminal in the firstembodiment of the present invention; FIG. 7 is an outside view showing ascan unit in the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 8 is ablock diagram showing electric circuits of a control system in the firstembodiment of the present invention; FIG. 9 is a drawing for explainingthe contents of manufacturing information in the first embodiment of thepresent invention; FIG. 10 is a drawing for explaining the contents ofhistorical information in the first embodiment of the present invention;FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing electric circuits of a transponder ina second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 12 is a block diagramshowing electric circuits of a scan unit in the second embodiment of thepresent invention; FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing electric circuitsof a control system in another embodiment; FIG. 14 is a block diagramshowing a fender management system in another embodiment; and FIG. 15 isa partially broken side view showing a foam fender.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be describedwith reference to drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a fender management system in a firstembodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, symbols 1's (1 _(A1)-1_(An), 1 _(B1)-1 _(Bn), 1 _(C1)-1 _(Cn), and 1 _(D1)-1 _(Dn)) denotepneumatic fenders (hereinafter, these are called fenders) that areobjects to be managed, symbols 2A through 2D denote terminals, symbol 4denotes a control system, and symbols 6A through 6D denote communicationnetworks.

The fender 1 is used as cushioning material for a ship or the like bybeing fixed in an underwater structure such as a quay and a bridge pieror being floated on the surface of the water. For example, as shown inFIGS. 2 through 4, the fender 1 has a barrel-like shape obtained bysealing both ends of a rubber tube that is 3-4 m long and 1-2 m indiameter, and has a filler hole 1 a of air in an end, and is filled withair of the predetermined internal pressure through this filler hole 1 a.Furthermore, at least one transponder 10 accessible by anelectromagnetic wave is provided in the vicinity of the filler hole 1 a.

Here, in order to reduce shock to the transponder 10 and prevent damageof the transponder 10, the inside or internal surface of a skin 1 b madeof the rubber tube is preferable as a mounting position of thetransponder 10. In this embodiment, the transponder 10 is installed nearby a bead ring 1 d supporting cord tension of a rubber-coated cord layer1 c embedded in the skin 1 b as shown in FIG. 3. In addition, if thecontact areas, where directly contact to a ship or quay at the time ofuse, and noncontact areas are clearly separated as the barrel-shapedfender 1 in this embodiment (refer to FIG. 4), it is preferable toprovide the transponder 10 in the noncontact area in order to reduceshock to and prevent damage of the transponder 10.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing electric circuits of the transponder10. In FIG. 5, symbol 10 shows the transponder, which is configured of atransmission and reception antenna 11, a rectifier circuit 12, a centralprocessing unit 13, an information memory unit 14, a transmission unit15, and a duplexer 16.

The rectifier circuit 12 is configured of diodes 121 and 122, acapacitor 123, and a resister 124, and forms a known full-wave rectifiercircuit. The transmission and reception antenna 11 is connected to theinput side of this rectifier circuit 12 through the duplexer 16, andthis rectifier circuit 12 outputs rectified current as a driving powersupply of the central processing unit 13, information memory unit 14,and transmission unit 15 by rectifying high-frequency current, inducedin the transmission and reception antenna 11, and converting the inducedcurrent into direct current.

The central processing unit 13 is configured of a known CPU 131, and adigital/analog (hereinafter, this is called D/A) converter 132. Whenelectric power is supplied to the CPU 131 and the CPU 131 becomesoperable, the CPU 131 reads an ID code or identification informationinherent in each transponder, which is stored in the information memoryunit 14, and converts this digital data into analog data through the D/Aconverter 132 to output to the transmission unit 15.

The transmission unit 15 is configured of an oscillator 151, a modulator152 and a high-frequency amplifier 153, and modulates a carrier wave,which is generated by the oscillator 151 and has a frequency of, forexample, 300 MHz, in the modulator 152 on the basis of a signal inputtedfrom the central processing unit 13 to supply this modulated carrierwave to the transmission and reception antenna 11 through thehigh-frequency amplifier 153 and duplexer 16.

The duplexer 16 is configured of a low-pass filter 16 a and a high-passfilter 16 b; the low-pass filter 16 a is connected between thetransmission and reception antenna 11 and rectifier circuit 12, and thehigh-pass filter 16 b is connected between the transmission andreception antenna 11 and high-frequency amplifier 153.

Respective terminals 2A through 2D are provided not only in each ofareas (E_(A) through E_(C)) in a predetermined range, where fenders 1that are objects to be managed are installed, but also in a ship Sembarking fenders 1 that are object to be managed. Each terminal readsan ID code by accessing a transponder 10 mounted in the fender 1 andtransfers historical information and the ID code in a lot as individualupdate information of the fender to the control system 4 by an operatorinputting the historical information of this fender 1, regarding use, atthat time such as installed places, installed periods, contents ofrepair, repaired locations, a storage location, and a storage period.When individual update information is transferred, a communicationnetwork such as the Internet, an ordinary telephone line, or acommunication satellite is used.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing electric circuits of the terminal 2(2A-2D). In FIG. 6, symbol 2 shows the terminal, which is configured ofa scan unit 20 and a device body 30.

The scan unit 20, as shown in FIG. 6, is composed of a reception antenna21, a reception unit 22, a central processing unit 23, a keyboard 24, adisplay unit 25, a transmission unit 26, a transmission antenna 27, andan interface unit 28 for data transfer with the device body 30 in orderto improve portability and operatability. The scan unit 20 is formed in,for example, a hand-held unit as shown in FIG. 7. In FIG. 7, the scanunit 20 is built in a pistol-shaped case 8, and the reception antenna 21and transmission antenna 27 are installed in an end portion of the case8; the keyboard 24 and display unit 25 are installed on the uppersurface of the case 8. In this case, a battery or the like, which is notshown, is used as a power supply.

Here, the scan unit 20 in this embodiment is a unit that receives an IDcode transmitted from a transponder 10 by receiving an electromagneticwave having a second frequency while radiating an electromagnetic wavehaving a first frequency to the transponder 10 as described later.

In addition, the reception unit 22 in the scan unit 20 is configured bya receiver 221 and an analog/digital (hereinafter, this is called A/D)converter 222. The input side of the receiver 221 is connected to thereception antenna 21. The reception unit 22 receives and detects a300-MHz high-frequency wave and then outputs the detected output to thecentral processing unit 23 through the A/D converter 222.

The central processing unit 23 is configured of a known CPU 231 andmemory 232, and not only stores information inputted from the receptionunit 22 in the memory 232, but also displays the information on thedisplay unit 25 on the basis of an input command from the keyboard 24.Furthermore, the central processing unit 23 not only stores thehistorical information of a fender 1, inputted from the keyboard 24, inthe memory 232 in a one-to-one correspondence between the historicalinformation and the ID code read, but also transfers the informationstored in the memory 232 to the device body 30 through the interfaceunit 28 on the basis of the input command from the keyboard 24.

In addition, a transmission unit 26 is configured of a transmitter 261,and the transmitter 261 outputs a high-frequency signal of, for example,100-300 KHz to the transmission antenna 27 on the basis of a controlsignal from the CPU 231.

The device body 30 is configured of an interface unit 31, a centralprocessing unit 32, a communication controller 33, a keyboard 34, adisplay unit 35 and memory unit 36.

The interface unit 31 is used when the information stored in the scanunit 20 is transferred to the device body 30 and configured of RS232c orinfrared communication connection such as IRDA; and it has componentssimilar to those of the interface unit 28 in the scan unit 20.

The central processing unit 32 is configured of a known CPU or the like,and receives information from the scan unit 20 through the interfaceunit 31 on the basis of a command, inputted by the keyboard 34, to storethis information in the memory unit 36. In addition, the centralprocessing unit 32 not only updates the information stored in the memoryunit 36, but also generates individual update information in regard toan updated part to transmit this information to the control system 4through the communication controller 33 if the information inputted fromthe scan unit 20 is different from the information stored in the memoryunit 36.

The individual update information is made up of a serial number, thehistorical information updated, or the like for the fender 1 which is anobject to be managed. The central processing unit 32 converts the IDcode of the transponder, which is transferred from the scan unit 20,into the serial number on the basis of a corresponding table which isbeforehand stored in the memory unit 36.

In the corresponding table, the ID code of the transponder 10 and theserial number of the fender 1 having this transponder 10 are listed in aone-to-one correspondence between them. Even if a plurality oftransponders 10 are mounted in a fender 1, it is possible to easilyextract the serial number of the fender 1 having these transponders 10.

The communication controller 33 performs information transfer with thecontrol system 4 through a communication network 6 (6A-6D) such as theinternet, ordinary telephone lines, wireless communication, andcommunication satellite.

The display unit 35 is configured of a monitor, connected to the centralprocessing unit 32, or the like, and is used for displaying a processinginformation, processed in the central processing unit 32, and a memoryinformation stored in the memory unit 36.

The control system 4, as shown in FIG. 8, is configured of acommunication controller 41, a first memory unit 42, a second memoryunit 43, a third memory unit 44, a central processing unit 45, akeyboard 46, and a display unit 47.

The communication controller 41, similarly to that in the terminal 2,performs information transfer with the terminal 2 through thecommunication network 6 (6A-6D) such as the internet, ordinary telephonelines, or communication satellite.

Manufacturing information of each fender 1 is stored in the first memoryunit 42. As shown in FIG. 9, for example, rated dimensions, initialinternal pressure, a model, cover structure, a manufacturing date, acustomer name, a test report, manufacturing specifications, and remarks,which are corresponding to a serial number, are stored as themanufacturing information. Furthermore, manufacturing drawings such asan assembly drawing, used in manufacturing of the fender 1, are storedwith corresponding to the serial number.

The second memory unit 43 stores historical information of each fender1. As the historical information, an initial installation date, aninitial installed place, use records, check and inspection records,repair records, remarks, and the like, which are corresponding to theserial number, are stored as shown in, for example, FIG. 10.

As the use records, installed places and installed periods, which areresults of changes after the initial installation, are recorded. As thecheck and inspection records, implemented dates of checks andinspections and their results are recorded. In addition, as the repairrecords, implemented dates of repairs, repaired parts, are recorded.

The third memory unit 44 stores a plurality of data of maps of all theinstallation areas E_(A) through E_(C), where the fenders 1 areinstalled, for example, maps, which are drawn over from wide ranges tonarrow ranges every area, and aerial photographs.

The central processing unit 45 is configured of a known CPU or the like.The central processing unit 45 receives the individual updateinformation, which is transferred from the terminal 2, through thecommunication controller 41, and performs update processing of thehistorical information stored in the first memory unit 42. Furthermore,the central processing unit 45 displays the manufacturing information,historical information, or map of the installed place of the fender 1designated by a serial number on the basis of an operator's instruction(command), inputted with the keyboard 46, on the display unit 47.Furthermore, the central processing unit 45 performs processing ofcorrection and addition of the stored information according to anoperator's command input from the keyboard.

Next, an operation method and operation of the management system havingthe above configuration will be described.

When this management system is used, manufacturing information of thefenders 1 that are objects to be managed, historical information at thetime of operation start, and data such as maps and aerial photographs ofan area where the fenders 1 are installed are stored in the controlsystem 4 at the time of operation start. The information and data can beinputted by the control system 4 itself, or can be stored bytransferring the information and data, inputted in the terminal 2, tothe control system 4. Furthermore, the corresponding table describedabove is stored in each terminal 2.

On the other hand, if the fender 1 is newly supplemented or moved toanother installed place after the operation starts, the informationstored in the control system 4 is added or updated. In addition, if thefender 1 is newly supplemented or annulled, it is necessary to updatealso the corresponding table in each terminal 2.

If the historical information of the fender 1 is updated in each ofinstalled places E_(A)-E_(C), the ID code of the transponder 10 mountedin the fender 1 that is an object whose information is to be updated isread by using only the scan unit 20 in the terminal 2. After historicalinformation is inputted, this information is transferred to the devicebody 30.

When the ID code of the transponder 10 is read, the distance between thescan unit 20 and transponder 10 is set within predetermined distance,and a read command is inputted from the keyboard 24 of the scan unit 20.Thereby, the transmitter 26 is driven on the basis of an operatingprogram in the CPU 231 in the scan unit 20, and the high-frequencysignal of the first frequency or the high-frequency signal of 100-300KHz is radiated from the transmission antenna 27.

This electromagnetic wave is inputted to the transmission and receptionantenna 11 of the transponder 10, and high-frequency current is inducedin the transmission and reception antenna 11. The high-frequency currentinduced in the transmission and reception antenna 11 is rectified by therectifier circuit 12 to supply electric power to the central processingunit 13, information memory unit 14, and transmission unit 15 inside thetransponder 10.

Thereby, the central processing unit 13, to which the electric power issupplied while receiving the electromagnetic wave transmitted from thescan unit 20, performs information transmission processing, programmedbeforehand. Thus, the central processing unit 13 outputs the ID code,stored in the information memory unit 14, to the transmission unit 15.The transmission unit 15 modulates a carrier wave on the basis of thisID code, and supplies the modulated carrier wave or a high-frequencysignal to the transmission and reception antenna 11. Thereby, anelectromagnetic wave of the second frequency or an electromagnetic wavehaving the frequency of 300 MHz is radiated from the transmission andreception antenna 11.

The scan unit 20 receives the electromagnetic wave of 300 MHz, which isradiated from the transponder 10, by the reception unit 22 through thereception antenna 21, and the reception unit 22 converts the received IDcode into digital data, and transmits the digital data to the centralprocessing unit 23.

The central processing unit 23 not only displays the ID code, which isbased on the inputted digital data, on the display unit 25, but alsostores the ID code in the memory 232.

Next, an operator inputs the historical information of the fender 1,from which the ID code is read, at that time, for example, thehistorical information such as an installed place and an installedperiod after change by operating the keyboard 24 of the scan unit 20.

Thereby, the central processing unit 23 of the scan unit 20 stores thehistorical information in the memory 232 which is associated with the IDcode previously read. If the historical information of plural fender 1is updated, operation described above can be repeated.

After this, the operator brings the scan unit 20 back to the installedplace of the device body 30, and transfers the information, stored inthe memory 232 of the scan unit 20, to the device body 30. Thereby, thecentral processing unit 32 of the device body 30 not only updates theinformation stored in the memory unit 36, but also generates theindividual update information, described above, on a part updated, andtransmits this information to the control system 4 through thecommunication controller 33 if the information transferred from the scanunit 20 is different from the information stored in the memory unit 36.

Therefore, the control system 4, which receives the individual updateinformation, updates the information stored. In addition, if an operatorwants to know the manufacturing information, including the manufacturingdrawings and the historical information of a specific fender, or to seemaps or aerial photographs of an area where the installed place isincluded, the operator can display this information on the display unit47 by inputting a command from the keyboard 46.

Furthermore, an installation state of the fender 1 in the areadesignated by the operator is displayed by displaying the installedplace of the fender 1 with superimposing a symbol and its serial numberon a map or an aerial photograph of the designated area.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, it is possible toexactly manage the fender 1 that is an object to be managed.

In addition, since this management system performs information transferbetween the terminal 2 and control system 4 through the communicationnetwork 6, it is possible to update management information in real timewithout depending on distance between these installed places.

Furthermore, an ID code inherent in each transponder 10 is stored in theinformation memory unit 14 of the transponder 10 mounted in the fender1, and the ID code is converted into a serial number of the fender 1 bythe terminal 2 having read this, and thereafter the fender is managedwith being identified with the serial number. Therefore, it is possibleto easily perform association with manufacturing information.

In addition, the transponder 10 is mounted in the fender 1, and an IDcode is automatically read by accessing the transponder 10; each fender1 is designated by this ID code. Hence, it is possible to not onlysimplify management work, but also prevent an artificial error onmanagement.

Furthermore, an electromagnetic wave radiated from the scan unit 20 isconverted into electrical energy in the transponder 10, and thetransponder 10 operates by means of this electrical energy. Therefore,the transponder 10 can be semipermanently operated, and hence it ispossible to simplify the maintenance of the transponder 10.

Moreover, since it is possible to display the manufacturing drawings ofeach fender 1 by operator's designated input in the control system 4, itis possible to repair the fender 1 on the basis of the manufacturingdrawings displayed if urgent repair is necessary. In addition, since itis possible to display a map or a photograph of an installed place of anarbitrary fender 1 and its vicinity in the control system 4 byoperator's command input, it is possible to easily grasp the place ofeach fender 1 at the time of maintenance or the like.

Furthermore, since it is possible to display an installation state ofthe fenders 1 in an arbitrary area among areas E_(A) through E_(C) inthe control system 4 by operator's command input, it is possible toeasily perform a movement plan such as change of an installed place ofthe fenders 1.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The system configuration of the second embodiment is almost similar tothe above-mentioned first embodiment. A difference between the first andsecond embodiments is that, in the second embodiment, the fender 1itself has the historical information of the fender 1 by making thetransponder 10 have a function of writing information to the informationmemory unit 14, and that an ID code is converted into a serial number inthe control system 4 by making the control system 4 have a correspondingtable.

Hereinafter, the difference from the first embodiment will be described.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing electric circuits of the transponder10 in the second embodiment. In FIG. 11, the same symbols are assignedto the same components in the first embodiment, and their description isomitted. In addition, the difference between the first and secondembodiments is that a detection unit 17 is provided in the transponder10, and the information memory unit 14 is configured of nonvolatilememory, which is readable and writable, such as EEPROM; the centralprocessing unit 13 has a function of writing information to theinformation memory unit 14.

Thus, the detection unit 17 is configured of a diode 171 and an A/Dconverter 172, the anode of the diode 171 is connected to the receptionantenna 11, and the cathode is connected to the CPU 131 of the centralprocessing unit 13 through the A/D converter.

The information memory unit 14 is configured of semiconductor memorysuch as EEPROM connected to the CPU 131, and an ID code inherent in thetransponder 10 is stored beforehand in this information memory unit 14.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing electric circuits of the scan unit 20in the terminal 2. In FIG. 12, the same symbols are assigned to the samecomponents in the first embodiment, and their description is omitted. Inaddition, a difference between the first and second embodiments is that,in the second embodiment, historical information inputted from thekeyboard can be transmitted to the transponder 10 by providing amodulation unit 29 in the scan unit 20.

Thus, the modulation unit 29 is configured of a D/A converter 291, amodulator 292 and a high-frequency amplifier 293, and the input side ofthe D/A converter 291 is connected to the CPU 231 in the centralprocessing unit 23; the output side is connected to the modulator 292.The modulator 292 receives a carrier wave from the transmission unit 26,and modulates this to supply this to the high-frequency amplifier 293.The high-frequency amplifier 293 amplifies the inputted high-frequencysignal and outputs the signal to the transmission antenna 27.

In addition, the device body 30 in the terminal 2 does not store an IDcode of the transponder 10 and a corresponding table where the serialnumber of the fender 1 equipped with the transponder 10 is listed byassociating the serial number with the ID code. Nevertheless, thecontrol system 4 stores the corresponding table and converts the ID codeinto the serial number.

According to the configuration described above, when the historicalinformation of a fender 1 is updated in each of installed places E_(A)through E_(C), first, the ID code of the transponder 10 mounted in thefender 1 ,that is an object whose information is to be updated, is readby using only the scan unit 20 in the terminal 2. Furthermore,historical information to be added is inputted. After this operation, byinputting an information write command from the keyboard 24 of the scanunit 20, the historical information of the fender 1, which is inputtedto the scan unit 20, is additionally written in the information memoryunit 14 of the transponder 10. Thereby, it is possible to hold thehistorical information of the fender 1 on the fender itself.

In addition, when an operator wants to know the historical informationstored in the information memory unit 14 of the transponder 10, it ispossible to display the historical information on the display unit 25 ofthe scan unit 20 by receiving the historical information since thehistorical information, stored in the information memory unit 14, istransmitted from the transponder 10 by transmitting an information readcommand from the scan unit 20 to the transponder 10.

Next, similarly to the first embodiment, an ID code, stored in thememory 232 of the scan unit 20, and historical information correspondingto this are transferred to the device body 30.

Thereby, the central processing unit 32 in the device body 30 not onlyupdates the information stored in the memory unit 36, but also generatesthe individual update information, described above, on a part updated,and transmits this individual update information to the control system 4through the communication controller 33 if the information transferredfrom the scan unit 20 is different from the information stored in thememory unit 36.

At this time, the central processing unit 32 generates the individualupdate information including the ID code of the transponder 10 andhistorical information corresponding to this and transmits theindividual update information.

The control system 4, which receives this individual update information,converts the ID code into a serial number on the basis of thecorresponding table, and thereafter updates the stored information onthe basis of this serial number.

In addition, if an operator wants to know the manufacturing informationand historical information of a specific fender, or to see maps andaerial photographs of an area where the installed place is included,which is similarly to the first embodiment, the operator can displaythis information on the display unit 47 by inputting a command from thekeyboard 46.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, similarly to thefirst embodiment, it is possible to not only exactly manage the fender 1that is an object to be managed, but also allow the information memoryunit 14 of the transponder 10 to hold the historical information of thefender 1. Therefore, it is possible to easily know the historicalinformation of the fender 1 without using any control system 4.

In addition, by making the control system 4 hold the correspondingtable, it is possible to reduce the load of processing in the terminal2, and hence it is possible to perform downsizing and cost reduction ofthe terminal.

In addition, in the first and second embodiments described above, afender 1 is managed with making a serial number a reference byconverting an ID code into the serial number of the fender 1 on thebasis of the ID code stored beforehand in a transponder 10.Alternatively, it can be performed that conversion processing using acorresponding table is omitted by storing a serial number of a fender 1,which is an object to be mounted, in a transponder 10 beforehand. Thismethod, however, requires work of writing the serial number into thetransponder 10.

In addition, a fender 1 can be also managed by using an ID code in atransponder 10 in the control system 4 without using any correspondingtable. However, if two or more transponders 10 are mounted in one fender1, this method has a demerit of becoming complicated in many cases.

Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, although the terminal 2is configured of the detachable scan unit 20 and the device body 30, aterminal 2 can be configured by integrating the scan unit 20 and devicebody 30.

Moreover, a pair of the terminal 2 and control system 4 can be alsoinstalled in each area where a fender 1 is installed. Thus, in the firstand second embodiments described above, the management system is asystem managing fenders 1, which are installed in a plurality of areas(E_(A)-A_(C)), in a lot. However, the present invention is not limitedto this. The management system can be a system managing a plurality offenders 1 existing in only one area. In this case, for example, as shownin FIG. 13, it is possible to simplify the configuration and realizethis system by deleting the device body 30 of the terminal 2 andinstalling a control system 4′, which is comprising an interface unit 48with the scan unit 20, in the area.

In addition, by expanding memory capacity of the scan unit 20, it isalso possible to manage a fender 1 using only a terminal composed ofonly the scan unit 20 without using a control system. However, in thiscase, management information is limited in some measure.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 14, it can be performed to communicatethrough the communication network 6 between a computer 50, which isinstalled in a manufacturing company or the like of a fender 1 andstores manufacturing information of the fender, and the control system 4or 4′, and to use information by transferring from the computer 50 theinformation necessary in the control system 4 or 4′.

Moreover, it goes without saying that it can be also performed toinstall a plurality of terminals 2 or a plurality of control systems 4or 4′ in an area and use these at the same time.

In addition, in the first and second embodiments, although a pneumaticfender is exemplified, it goes without saying that the present inventioncan be applied to a rubber fender or a foam fender 60 shown in FIG. 15,and similar effects can be obtained. Since foam material 61 is filled inthe foam fender 60 shown in FIG. 15, a position where a transponder 10is mounted, can be comparatively freely selected. However, in order toadequately perform communication by an electromagnetic wave, it ispreferable to install the transponder 10 near to a skin 62.

The present invention can be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Thepresent embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the present inventionbeing indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription and all changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Industrial Applicability

A transponder is mounted in a fender 1 that is an object to be managed,and an ID code is read by accessing the transponder in the fender 1 withterminals 2A through 2D, one or more of which are provided in each ofareas that are objects to be managed; individual update informationincluding historical information, which shows installed places andinstalled periods of the fender 1, and the ID code is transferred to thecontrol system 4 through communication networks 6A through 6D. Thecontrol system 4 not only stores manufacturing information andhistorical information of all the fenders 1 that are objects to bemanaged, but also updates the historical information on the basis of theindividual update information received from the terminal 2 to displaythe manufacturing information and historical information of a specificfender 1 designated by an operator. Thereby, it is possible to manageeach fender by using the information obtained by accessing thetransponder. Hence, it is possible to not only prevent a human error onmanagement, but also simplify management work since it is possible toaccess the transponder even from a position where is apart from thefender in some measure. Furthermore, it is possible to not only graspthe historical information such as the installed place and installedperiod of the fender immediately and exactly, but also update managementinformation in real time without depending on distance between installedplaces.

FIG. 1

2A through 2D Terminal

4 Control system

6A through 6D Communication network

1 _(A1) Fender

S Ship

FIG. 2

1 Fender

1 a Filler hole

10 Transponder

FIG. 3

1 b Skin

1 c Rubber-coated cord layer

10 Transponder

1 a Filler hole

1 d Bead ring

FIG. 4

1 Fender

10 Transponder

1 a Filler hole

#1 Noncontact area

#2 Contact area

FIG. 5

10 Transponder

16 Duplexer

12 Rectifier circuit

11 Transmission and reception antenna

132 D/A converter

152 Modulator

153 High-frequency amplifier

14 Information memory unit

13 Central processing unit

151 Oscillator

15 Transmission unit

FIG. 6

2 Terminal

6 Communication network

20 Scan unit

30 Device body

24 Keyboard

22 Reception unit

222 D/A converter

261 Transmitter

26 Transmission unit

232 Memory

25 Display unit

28 Interface unit

23 Central processing unit

31 Interface unit

32 Central processing unit

33 Communication controller

35 Display unit

36 Memory unit

34 Keyboard

FIG. 7

20 Scan unit

25 Display unit

24 Keyboard

21 Transmission antenna

21 Reception antenna

FIG. 8

4 Control system

6 Communication network

41 Communication controller

45 Central processing unit

47 Display unit

42 First memory unit

43 Second memory unit

44 Third memory unit

46 Keyboard

FIG. 9

1 Serial number

2 Rated dimensions

3 Initial internal pressure

4 Model

5 Cover structure

6 Manufacturing date

7 Customer

8 Test report

9 Manufacturing specifications

10 Remarks

FIG. 10

1 Serial number

2 Initial installation date

3 Initial installed place

4 Use history

5 Check and inspection record

6 Repair record

7 Miscellaneous

FIG. 11

10 Transponder

16 Duplexer

12 Rectifier circuit

17 Detection unit

172 A/D converter

11 Transmission and reception antenna

132 D/A converter

152 Modulator

153 High-frequency amplifier

14 Information memory unit

13 Central processing unit

151 Oscillator

15 Transmission unit

FIG. 12

20 Scan unit

24 Keyboard

22 Reception unit

221 Receiver

222 D/A converter

232 Memory

23 Central processing unit

28 Interface unit

29 Modulation unit

291 D/A converter

292 Modulator

293 High-frequency amplifier

261 Transmitter

26 Transmission unit

25 Display unit

FIG. 13

20 Scan unit

24 Keyboard

22 Reception unit

221 Receiver

222 D/A converter

261 Transmitter

26 Transmission unit

232 Memory

25 Display unit

28 Interface unit

23 Central processing unit

4′ Control system

45 Central processing unit

48 Interface unit

47 Display unit

42 First memory unit

43 Second memory unit

44 Third memory unit

46 Keyboard

FIG. 14

6 Communication network

50 Computer

4 (4′) Control system

1 _(A1), 1 _(A2), 1 _(An) Fender

2 Terminal

FIG. 15

60 Foam fender

61 Form material

62 Skin

10 Transponder

What is claimed is:
 1. A management system of a pneumatic fencer that isused as a cushioning material for a ship with the fender being fixed toan underwater structure or floated, comprising: a transponder, whichincludes information memory means for storing predetermined information,and information read means for reading information stored in theinformation memory means, wherein said transponder can provide wirelessaccess to the information read means, the transponder being locatedinside a tegument surface of the fender; a plurality of terminals thatcan transfer information through a communication network with eachother; and one or more control systems, wherein each terminal comprises:identification information read means for accessing the transponder ofthe pneumatic fender and reading identification information; historicalinformation input means for inputting historical information showing atleast an installed place and an installed period of a pneumatic fenderhaving the identification information at this time; and transmissionmeans for generating an individual update information, including theidentification information and historical information, every pneumaticfender transmitting the individual update information through thecommunication network; wherein the control system comprises:manufacturing information memory means for storing manufacturinginformation of all the pneumatic fenders, which are objects to bemanaged, in a one-to-one correspondence between the historicalinformation and the identification information; historical informationmemory means for storing historical information of all the pneumaticfenders, which are objects to be managed, in a one-to-one correspondencebetween the historical information and the identification information;reception means for receiving the individual update information fromeach terminal through the communication network; historical informationupdate means for updating historical information, stored in thehistorical information memory means, on the basis of individual updateinformation received by the reception means; and information displaymeans for displaying manufacturing information and historicalinformation of a specific pneumatic fender that an operator designates.2. The pneumatic fender management system according to claim 1, whereininstead of the transponder, the pneumatic fender uses a transponder thathas information memory means for storing identification informationinherent in a transponder and information read means for readinginformation, stored in the information memory means, and can access theinformation memory means by wireless; wherein the terminal has acorresponding table, associating identification information inherent ina transponder with a serial number of a pneumatic fender in which thetransponder is mounted, and conversion means for convertingidentification information, read from the said transponder, into theserial number on the basis of the corresponding table; whereintransmission means of the terminal generates individual updateinformation, including a serial number and historical information, forevery pneumatic fender, and transmits the individual update informationthrough the communication network; and wherein the control system usesthe serial number as identification information.
 3. The pneumatic fendermanagement system according to claim 1, wherein instead of thetransponder, the pneumatic fender uses a transponder that hasinformation memory means for storing identification information inherentin a transponder and information read means for reading information,stored in the information memory means, and can access the informationmemory means by wireless; wherein the control system has a correspondingtable, associating identification information inherent in a transponderwith a serial number of a pneumatic fender in which the transponder ismounted, and conversion means for converting identification informationinherent in the transponder, which is included in the individual updateinformation into the serial number of the pneumatic fender on the basisof the corresponding table; and wherein the control system uses theserial number of the pneumatic fender as identification information. 4.A pneumatic fender management system according to any one of claims 1,2, or 3, wherein the manufacturing information includes manufacturingdrawings.
 5. A pneumatic fender management system according to any oneof claims 1 through 3, wherein the control system comprises installedplace display means for displaying an installed place of a specificpneumatic fender, which an operator designates, and a map or photographof its vicinity.
 6. A pneumatic fender management system according toany one of claims 1 through 3, wherein the control system comprisesinstallation state display means for displaying an installation state ofpneumatic fenders in a specific area that an operator designates.
 7. Afender management system comprising: a fender comprising a transponder,which includes information memory means for storing predeterminedinformation, and information read means for reading information storedin the information memory means, wherein said transponder can providewireless access to the information read means, the transponder beinglocated inside a tegument surface of the fender; a terminal forwirelessly accessing information memory means of the transponder; acontrol system that can communicate with the terminal, and storesinformation inherent in each fender, which is obtained through theterminal and corresponding to each fender; and a computer that cancommunicate with the control system, wherein the control system readsinformation from the information memory means of the transponder throughthe terminal; wherein the control system further reads information ofthe fender, which is stored in the computer, by communicating with thecomputer, receives information of each fender from the computer, andmanages the fender on the basis of this information, and the informationmemory means of the transponder stores at least identificationinformation inherent in each transponder; wherein the terminal has acorresponding table associating identification information inherent ineach transponder with a serial number of the fender in which thetransponder is mounted, and conversion means for convertingidentification information inherent in the transponder into the serialnumber of the fender on the basis of the corresponding table, convertsidentification information inherent in a transponder, which is read fromthe transponder, into the serial number of the fender, and transmits theserial number to the control system; and wherein the control systemstores information inherent in the fender in a one-to-one correspondencebetween the inherent information and the serial number.
 8. A fendermanagement system comprising: a fender comprising a transponder, whichincludes information memory means for storing predetermined information,and information read means for reading information stored in theinformation memory means, wherein said transponder can provide wirelessaccess to the information read means, the transponder being locatedinside a tegument surface of the fender; a terminal for wirelesslyaccessing information memory means of the transponder; a control systemthat can communicate with the terminal, and stores information inherentin each fender, which is obtained through the terminal and correspondingto each fender; and a computer that can communicate with the controlsystem, wherein the control system reads information from theinformation memory means of the transponder through the terminal;wherein the control system further reads information of the fender,which is stored in the computer, by communicating with the computer,receives information of each fender from the computer, and manages thefender on the basis of this information, and the information memorymeans of the transponder stores at least identification informationinherent in each transponder; wherein the terminal has a correspondingtable associating identification information inherent in eachtransponder with a serial number of the fender in which the transponderis mounted, and conversion means for converting identificationinformation inherent in the transponder into the serial number of thefender on the basis of the corresponding table, and stores informationinherent in the fender in a one-to-one correspondence between theinherent information and the serial number.
 9. A fender managementsystem comprising a fender comprising a transponder, which includesinformation memory means for storing predetermined information, andinformation read means for reading information stored in the informationmemory means, wherein said transponder can provide wireless access tothe information read means, the transponder being located inside ategument surface of the fender, the fender management system furthercomprising a terminal, and a control system, wherein the terminalwirelessly communicates with a transponder, provided in the fender, andtransfers information, which the transponder transmits, to the controlsystem; wherein the control system comprises: information memory meansfor storing information of the fender that is an object to be managed;reception means for receiving information, which the transpondertransmits, from the terminal; information update means for updatinginformation, which the information memory means stores, on the basis ofthe received information; and information display means for displayinginformation of a fender that an operator designates, wherein theinformation memory means of the transponder stores at leastidentification information inherent in each transponder; wherein theterminal has a corresponding table associating identificationinformation inherent in each transponder with a serial number of thefender in which the transponder is mounted, and conversion means forconverting identification information inherent in the transponder intothe serial number of the fender on the basis of the corresponding table,and stores information inherent in the fender in a one-to-onecorrespondence between the inherent information and the serial number.10. A fender management system comprising a fender comprising atransponder, which includes information memory means for storingpredetermined information, and information read means for readinginformation stored in the information memory means, wherein saidtransponder can provide wireless access to the information read means,the transponder being located inside a tegument surface of the fender,the fender management system further comprising a terminal, and acontrol system, wherein the terminal wirelessly communicates with atransponder, provided in the fender, and transfers information, whichthe transponder transmits, to the control system; wherein the controlsystem comprises: information memory means for storing information ofthe fender that is an object to be managed; reception means forreceiving information, which the transponder transmits, from theterminal; information update means for updating information, which theinformation memory means stores, on the basis of the receivedinformation; and information display means for displaying information ofa fender that an operator designates, wherein the information memorymeans of the transponder stores at least identification informationinherent in each transponder; wherein the terminal has a correspondingtable associating identification information inherent in eachtransponder with a serial number of the fender in which the transponderis mounted, and conversion means for converting identificationinformation inherent in the transponder into the serial number of thefender on the basis of the corresponding table, converts identificationinformation inherent in a transponder, which is read from thetransponder, into the serial number of the fender, and transmits theserial number to the control system; and wherein the control systemstores information inherent in the fender in a one-to-one correspondencebetween the inherent information and said serial number.
 11. A fendermanagement system comprising: a fender comprising a transponder, whichincludes information memory means for storing predetermined information,and information read means for reading information stored in theinformation memory means, wherein said transponder can provide wirelessaccess to the information read means, the transponder being locatedinside a tegument surface of the fender; a terminal for wirelesslyaccessing information memory means of the transponder; a control systemthat can communicate with the terminal, and stores information inherentin each fender, which is obtained through the terminal and correspondingto each fender; and a computer that can communicate with the controlsystem, wherein the control system reads information from theinformation memory means of the transponder through the terminal;wherein the control system further reads information of the fender,which is stored in the computer, by communicating with the computer,receives information of each fender from the computer, and manages thefender on the basis of this information, and wherein the information ofthe fender includes an installed place of the fender, which is an objectto be managed, and a map or a photograph of its vicinity; and whereinthe control system comprises installed place display means fordisplaying an installed place of a specific fender, which an operatordesignates, and a map or a photograph of its vicinity.
 12. A fendermanagement system comprising a fender comprising a transponder, whichincludes information memory means for storing predetermined information,and information read means for reading information stored in theinformation memory means, wherein said transponder can provide wirelessaccess to the information read means, the transponder being locatedinside a tegument surface of the fender, the fender management systemfurther comprising a terminal, and a control system, wherein theterminal wirelessly communicates with a transponder, provided in thefender, and transfers information, which the transponder transmits, tothe control system; wherein the control system comprises: informationmemory means for storing information of the fender that is an object tobe managed; reception means for receiving information, which thetransponder transmits, from the terminal; information update means forupdating information, which the information memory means stores, on thebasis of the received information; and information display means fordisplaying information of a fender that an operator designates, whereinthe information of the fender includes an installed place of the fender,which is an object to be managed, and a map or a photograph of itsvicinity; and wherein the control system comprises installed placedisplay means for displaying an installed place of a specific fender,which an operator designates, and a map or a photograph of its vicinity.13. The fender management system according to any of claims 7 to 12,wherein the transponder further comprises information write means formaking it possible to wirelessly access said information memory meansand write information into the information memory means.
 14. The fendermanagement system according to any of claims 7 to 12, wherein thetransponder further comprises: reception means for receiving anelectromagnetic wave having a first frequency; energy conversion meansfor converting energy of the electromagnetic wave having the firstfrequency, received by the reception means, into electric energy; andtransmission means for transmitting information, read from theinformation memory means by the information read means, by anelectromagnetic wave having a second frequency that is higher than thefirst frequency, wherein the transponder operates by electric energyobtained by the energy conversion means.
 15. The fender managementsystem according to any of claims 7 to 12, wherein predeterminedinformation stored in the information memory means includes at leastidentification information, which is inherent in each fender, foridentifying the fender.
 16. The fender management system according toany of claims 7 to 12, wherein the predetermined information stored inthe information memory means includes at least identificationinformation, which is inherent in each transponder, for identifying thetransponder mounted in the fender.
 17. The fender management systemaccording to any of claims 7 to 12, wherein the information includesmanufacturing information or historical information of the fender. 18.The fender management system according to any of claims 7 to 12, whereinthe fender is a floating tender floating on the water.
 19. The fendermanagement system according to any of claims 7 to 12, wherein the fenderhas a shape having a contact area that is subject to contacting a shockobject giving shock during use, and a noncontact area that is notsubject to contacting the shock object, and the transponder is providedin the noncontact area.
 20. The fender management system according toany of claims 7 to 12, wherein the terminal further comprises at leastinformation display means for displaying the information read from theinformation memory means of the transponder in the fender.
 21. Thefender management system according to any of claims 7 to 12, whereincommunication between the control system and computer is performedthrough a communication network.
 22. The fender management systemaccording to any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein communication betweenthe terminal and control system is performed through a communicationnetwork.
 23. The fender management system according to any one of claims7 to 12, wherein the terminal comprises information write means forwriting information into information memory means of the transponder.24. The fender management system according to any of claims 7 to 12,wherein the information, which the computer stores, includesspecifications, structure, characteristics, and manufacturinginformation of each fender.
 25. The fender management system accordingto any of claims 7 to 12, wherein the information of the fender includesmanufacturing drawings.
 26. The fender management system according toany of claims 7 to 12, wherein the control system comprises installationstate display means for displaying an installation state of fenders in aspecific area where an operator designates.
 27. The fender managementsystem according to any of claims 7 to 10, wherein the information ofthe fender includes an installed place of the fender, which is an objectto be managed, and a map or a photograph of its vicinity; and whereinthe control system comprises installed place display means fordisplaying an installed place of a specific fender, which an operatordesignates, and a map or a photograph of its vicinity.